Collaborative Approaches to 14-19 Provision - Communities and ...

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEAR279. Curriculum collaboration post-16 has enjoyed mixed success. The intentionwas to collaborate in post-16 Modern Foreign Languages, Music and ICT courses. Therehas been no blocking of the timetable - although this is planned for next year - and as aresult some AS level courses e.g. Music, are taught in twilight sessions.280. There has been successful collaboration in Music and ICT. The ICT StrategyManager at the larger school is funded by Pathfinder to work one day a week at the otherschool where he has been supporting the upgrading of the ICT systems and encouragingthe use of ICT for teaching and learning. He anticipates that a BTEC level 3 course inICT will be offered to students in the two schools next year. He is also hoping to developa CISCO Academy networking course.281. The ICT support worker, funded by Pathfinder, divides his time equallybetween the two schools. His work is particularly appreciated by staff in the two schools.The current holder of the post is an ICT graduate with some experience of supporting ICTin teaching and learning. His role is wide and particularly relates to supporting the use ofICT in the classroom. He has trained teachers in the use of applications. The twoheadteachers feel that this role would be useful throughout the Pathfinder and shouldcontinue when Pathfinder funding is no longer available.282. Another feature of the rural strand which the heads are particularlyenthusiastic about is a new post of Progression Mentor funded by Pathfinder. TheProgression Mentor works in both schools and advises on courses and progression routesat age 16 and 19. The mentor also targets underachievers in year 11 and supports post 16students in overcoming barriers that may prevent applications to higher education. Thementor also has a remit to organise and support Aim Higher and Widening Participationevents and events for Gifted and Talented students. The role of Progression Mentor hasbeen adapted from an idea operating in Newcastle—developed under the Excellence inCities programme. This idea is to be adopted across the Pathfinder with ProgressionMentors shared between schools – an appointment to CG6 was taken up in March. The88